Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Explosive Scene

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

By Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

1. Explosive Scene Marker

Inscription. Imagine this scene on August 22, 1814, when explosions erupted on the Patuxent! The U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla scuttled their own vessels when British pursuers approached. With the flotilla destroyed, the British landed about 500 troops at Mount Calvert. From here they marched to Upper Marlboro to join the main British invasion force.

“I instantly sent orders for our Marines and Naval Forces at Pig Point to be forthwith moved to Mount Calvert and…with the utmost expedition to join the Army, which I also most readily agreed to accompany.” – British Rear Adm. George Cockburn to Vice Adm. Alexander F.I. Cochrane, August 27, 1814

On to Washington
Anchored off Mount Calvert, British Rear Admiral Cockburn reported “the complete destruction of this Flotilla of the Enemy which has lately occupied So much of our attention.” Cockburn set out to join the assault on Washington, D.C. At the same time, Joshua Barney with 400 American flotillamen rushed to help defend the capital.

is on Mount Calvert Road 0.2 miles east of McClure Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is within the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, about 2.5 miles east of Croom Road (MD 382). Marker is at or near this postal address: 16801 Mount Calvert Road, Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America.

This grog cup was salvaged from an underwater excavation of a flotilla vessel. "C.W." may refer to Caesar Wentworth, ship's cook on the Scorpion.

Close-up of photo on marker
State Highway Administration

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on November 26, 2012, by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area of Hyattsville, Maryland. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on November 26, 2012, by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area of Hyattsville, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on August 24, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • F. Robby was the editor who published this page.